1. Can We Use Our Federal Office to Fundraise? the General Rule Is That Unless Authorized

1. Can we use our federal office to fundraise? The general rule is that unless authorized we do not fundraise in the workplace, and we do not use our federal office or position to raise funds whether on- or off-duty. Also, we cannot officially state or imply, or use our titles or positions to suggest, an official endorsement or preferential treatment of any non-Federal organization or event. Of course one of the clear exceptions to this rule is the Combined Federal Campaign.

2. What about personal fundraising activities outside the military installation? In these cases, the rule is that we may engage in personal fundraising activities provided we do not personally solicit funds or other support from a subordinate or from any person known to the employee to be a prohibited source. (A prohibited source is a someone who seeks to or does business with the organization -- the obvious example being an IOC contractor.) Also, we are not permitted to use our official title or any authority associated with our public office to further the personal fundraising effort.

3. What types of fundraising activities are authorized at the workplace? As mentioned above, the Combined Federal Campaign is a clear fundraising campaign authorized to be conducted in the workplace. However, on a case-by-case basis the Installation Commander can approve other fundraising efforts. These types of efforts must be specifically approved in advance by the Commander and conducted by volunteers who are not on duty, and imply no official endorsement. The Commander can also approve base related Private Organizations fundraising activities among their own members for organizational support or for benefit or welfare funds for their members.

As a result, unless an exception applies, we may not solicit our fellow employees here in the workplace for donations to support local schools, scouting activities, other youth programs, church activities, and other good causes. This means that, in the workplace, we may not sell candy, popcorn, cookies, raffle tickets, magazine subscriptions, etc. sponsored by these various organizations in an effort to raise money.

4. If you have any questions about fundraising issues, please call the undersigned, General Law Team, Office of Counsel, DSN 793-8458, Commercial (309) 782-8458, e-mail: yokas- [email protected].